Multi-surface comfort table

ABSTRACT

Different aspects of the invention refer to a multi-surface comfort table, such as a coffee table, that turns into a footrest or a bed. This is a useful item of furniture especially for small living spaces, as it is a coffee table and footrest in one and thus takes up less space. It is designed to function as a normal coffee table, and, when needed, the top is modified quickly to reveal a soft cushioned surface to place your feet on. One example envisaged is that the surface slides open to reveal the cushioned surface, but other embodiments envisage the top surface to be also lifted, slid, rotated (on any axis) or flipped (or any combination thereof) to reveal the soft surface. This top surface can be whole, or divided into parts that can be manipulated individually revealing the soft parts where and when needed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tables which are configurable to revealcomfortable user-friendly comfortable surfaces. In particular, thisinvention relates to a coffee table that turns into a footrest.

BACKGROUND

Coffee tables are dimensioned such that they typically are placed in asitting area and do not occupy much space. In a home environment thiswould be between the sofa and the television, in order to place objects,such as coffee mugs, whilst watching television or reading or resting.

However, such tables do not exist which permit an additional comfort forthe user. Currently, users who wish to extend their legs and rest themin a horizontal fashion, thereby adopting a more restful disposition,can only do so by placing their feet on the coffee table. Apart from notbeing a hygienic practice, it is also uncomfortable. Soon the feet's ownweight in contact with the hard table surface results in pain anddiscomfort for the user. Additionally, this resting practice increasesthe risk of accidentally displacing any elements placed on the table,such as glasses, dishes, vases, and so on, thereby harming the surfaceof the table as well as breaking them in case they eventually fall onthe floor.

Therefore a need exists to effectively solve the abovementionedproblems. In particular, the inventor has identified the need ofproviding hard top tables which are configurable into tables withuser-comfortable surfaces.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide solutionsto the above mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of theinvention to provide a novel multi-surface comfort table with adaptablefunctionality. On one hand it acts as a standard table and on the otherhand it acts as a comfortable surface for resting. In one embodiment thetable is a coffee table, and it can be transformed into a foot rest, forcomfortably placing the feet whilst resting or reading. In anotherembodiment, the table may comprise more than two surfaces for providingyet further functionality.

This is accomplished by providing a coffee table comprising a hardsurface that acts as a normal table top and a soft surface that can beused as a footrest, wherein these two surfaces are made free to moverelative to each other and/or to the coffee table so that differentsurfaces are made available to the user as they require.

In another embodiment, the table comprises at least two overlappinglayers. The top layer is a hard surface made from the same material asconventional tables, that is, typically wood or plastic or metal. It istherefore given the same use as any convention coffee, or sitting table.The top layer is configured to be mobile, that is, it can be moved toreveal the second layer. The second layer comprises a soft surface ofcushion-like material covered by textile. This soft layer is comfortablefor resting the feet or even the whole body, depending on the use andsize of the table.

Hence, some or all of the aforementioned problems are resolved asdefined by the accompanying independent claims. Preferred embodimentsare defined by the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements in the different drawings. Correspondingelements may also be referenced using different characters.

FIG. 1 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a first position.

FIG. 2 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a second position.

FIG. 3 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a third position.

FIG. 4 depicts stopping means and attachment means of the multi-surfacecomfort table.

FIG. 5 depicts the multi-surface comfort table in a completely openbed-like configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts the multi-surface comfort table according to a firstembodiment of the invention. As mentioned, this table could be a coffeetable. The invention relates to a coffee table that turns into afootrest. This is a useful item of furniture especially for small livingspaces, as it is a coffee table and footrest in one and thus takes upless space. It is designed to function as a normal coffee table, and,when needed, the top 1 is modified quickly to reveal a soft cushionedsurface 2 to place your feet on. As can be seen in one example of FIG.2, the surface 1 slides open to reveal the cushioned surface 2, butother embodiments envisage the top surface to be also lifted, rotated(on any axis) or flipped (or any combination thereof) to reveal the softsurface. This top surface can be whole, or divided into parts that canbe manipulated individually revealing the soft parts where and whenneeded. In the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the top surface comprisestwo halves which slide open in opposite directions.

In another aspect of the comfort table, the top surface comprises bothhard and soft surfaces back to back, that is, the top surface containsone hard surface, and on the other side, a soft surface. This top can berotated 180° (flipped) and then replaced on the coffee table stand withthe desired surface pointing upwards. Again, this can be the whole tablesurface, or this can be split into two or more surfaces. The split canbe a straight split or in a design feature (Yin Yang shape for example).

In the preferred configuration, the hard coffee table surface is made upof preferably two separate surfaces which can be slid apart to revealthe soft surface. The coffee table footrest combo has three differentpositions. In the first position of FIG. 1, it is fully closed, where itacts and looks like a normal coffee table. In the second position ofFIG. 2, the top surface opens and overhangs the edges of the tablerevealing the soft footrest. These overhanging surfaces are fixed in ahorizontal position so that any items (for example, food or drinks) canbe left there without falling to the floor or spilling. In the thirdposition of FIG. 3, the hard surfaces can be completely removed (withouthaving to rotate them along either horizontal axes in any way as toavoid items falling off). The removed surfaces can then be used as foodtrays if desired. In one aspect the surface could have a softerunderside so that it is comfortable on the knees (ex Bean bags). In thethird position, the footrest can then be placed alongside the sofa tohelp make it wider and be even used as a sofa extension or spare bed.This may require an additional coffee table footrest or speciallydesigned add-on depending on the size of the coffee table footrestand/or sofa.

FIG. 4 depicts the attachment means 3, whether it be a hinge, grove,rails or any other means, is designed to not protrude too much so thatcomfort of resting your legs on the coffee table footrest is notcompromised. The attachment means is designed so that the top surfacesare maintained horizontal at all times when they are in the fully closedfirst position and the open second position. The stopping means 4 act asa clear definition between the fully first position (open state) and thethird position (removed state) to avoid the table surfaces falling tothe ground inadvertently. This definition could be a manual manoeuvrerequired by the user (pushing in a stop, twisting something, etc.) or adiscernible stop (this could be audible, feelable—i.e. offeringincreased resistance etc.). It would be apparent to the skilled artisanthat the stopping means 4 may be configured to permit the user to gripor handle the top surface to facilitate its movement.

In the closed state the coffee table footrest looks like and acts as acoffee table (FIG. 1). The drawings show the surfaces sliding out to theside to reveal the soft surface but in different embodiments they canmove out in any direction. You could even have the surfaces move inrelation to each other. For example they could be fixed to each other bygroves or rails and parts, or all, of the surface could slide out awayfrom or towards the user, depending on if they want to put their feet upwhile another user is still eating, or pull their food closer to them.FIG. 5 depicts the completely open configuration where the soft surfaceis completely revealed. No prior art shows a fully integral coffee tableand footrest combo, as described above, where the whole coffee tabletransforms to reveal a soft surface to be used as a footrest.

Different aspects of the invention relate to:

-   -   A coffee table that can be transformed into a footrest.    -   A coffee table where the surface is manipulated to change it        from hard to soft.    -   A coffee table where the surface is moved to reveal a soft        surface.    -   A coffee table where the surface is removed to reveal a soft        surface.    -   A coffee table where the top surface is fixed movably to the        rest of the table so that it can be moved to reveal a soft        surface. Further where the surface is maintained in a        substantially horizontal plane throughout its movement or where        the surface can be removed from the rest of the table. Further        where the surface can be used as a food tray.    -   A coffee table where the surface is divided into two or more        separate surfaces.    -   A coffee table where there is a detectable or manual stop to        ensure the surface is not removed completely inadvertently.    -   A coffee table where the top surface has one hard surface and        one soft surface and is rotated about either horizontal axis        (flipped) have either the hard or the soft surface pointing up.    -   A coffee table where, once the hard surface has been removed        completely, it can act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening        means to create a bed.

The drawings show the surfaces sliding out to the side to reveal thesoft surface but in different embodiments they can move out in anydirection. You could even have the surfaces move in relation to eachother. For example they could be fixed to each other by groves or railsand parts or all of the surface could slide out away from or towards theuser, depending on if they want to put their feet up while another useris still eating, or pull their food closer to them. It is clear that thetable could also be opened by means of a motor of any sort, which wouldreduce the effort required by the user to a minimum. Further embodimentscould include other means to change the surface from soft to hard, wherethe surface itself is manipulated to change its state. This could be byadding a removing an electric charge, altering the chemical orbiological composition, filling with a gas or liquid, or the use ofmagnets or any other similar means.

What has been described comprises several example embodiments. Since itis not possible or feasible to describe all the variations ofcombinations and permutations of the inventive concept that would giverise to a large number of embodiments and redundant paragraphs, it isunderstood that the skilled artisan would derive these differentpossible permutations and combinations of the different embodiments andaspects described after a direct and objective reading of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the main aspects and embodiments have beendescribed, understanding that they comprise the remaining combinations,variations and modifications, whilst they are comprised within the scopeof protection defined by the claims. The skilled person would understandthat the presented description of the embodiments does not limit theinvention, nor do the drawings.

In the following, further examples of the invention are provided:

A coffee table comprising a hard surface that acts as a normal table topand a soft surface that can be used as a footrest, wherein these twosurfaces are made free to move relative to each other and/or to thecoffee table so that the different surfaces are made available to theuser as they require.The coffee table, wherein either surface can be manipulated to revealthe other surface. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface ismoveable to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hardsurface is removed to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, whereinthe hard surface is fixed movably to the rest of the table so that itcan be moved to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein thehard surface is raised vertically relative to the coffee table leaving agap between the table top and the soft surface. The coffee table,wherein the hard surface is moved horizontally relative to the coffeetable to reveal the soft surface. The coffee table, wherein the hardsurface is moved in a vertical and horizontal plane to reveal the softsurface. The coffee table, wherein the surface is maintained in asubstantially horizontal plane throughout its entire movement byattachment means. The coffee table, wherein the hard surface can becompletely removed from the rest of the table. The coffee table, whereinthe first top layer can be used as a food tray. The coffee table,further comprising a detectable, or manual, stop to ensure the hardsurface is not removed completely inadvertently. The coffee table,wherein the hard surface and the soft surface are configured on eitherside of a surface, and the surface can be rotated about any axis therebyconfiguring either the hard or the soft surface pointing upwards. Thecoffee table, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two sides ofthe same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it fromhard to soft. The coffee table, wherein the table top can be flipped, orotherwise manipulated, to reveal the hard or the soft surface. Thecoffee table, wherein the hard and soft surfaces conform two states ofthe same table top, and the table top is manipulated to change it fromthe hard to soft state, or from the soft to hard state. The coffee tablewhere the hard and/or soft surfaces are divided into two or moreseparate parts. The coffee table, further comprising motorised means formoving the hard surface, or soft surface, or both surfaces. The coffeetable where, once the first top layer has been removed completely, thecoffee table can be placed next to the sofa to act as a whole, or part,of a sofa widening means to create wider surface that can be used tosleep on. the coffee table can be placed next to the sofa to act as awhole, or part, of a sofa widening means to create wider surface thatcan be used to sleep on.

1. A coffee table comprising a hard surface that acts as a normal tabletop and a soft surface that can be used as a footrest, wherein these twosurfaces are made free to move relative to each other and/or to the restof the coffee table so that the different surfaces are made available tothe user as they require.
 2. The coffee table according to claim 1,wherein either surface can be manipulated to reveal the other surface.3. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface ismoveable to reveal the soft surface.
 4. The coffee table according toclaim 1, wherein the hard surface is removed to reveal the soft service.5. The coffee table according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface isfixed movably to the rest of the table so that it can be moved to revealthe soft service.
 6. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein thehard surface is raised vertically relative to the coffee table leaving agap between the table top and the soft surface.
 7. The coffee tableaccording to claim 5, wherein the hard surface is moved horizontallyrelative to the coffee table to reveal the soft surface.
 8. The coffeetable according to claim 5, wherein the hard surface is moved in avertical and horizontal plane to reveal the soft surface.
 9. The coffeetable according to claim 1, wherein the surface is maintained in asubstantially horizontal plane throughout its entire movement byattachment means.
 10. The coffee table according to claim 5, wherein thehard surface can be completely removed from the rest of the table. 11.The coffee table according to claim 10, wherein the hard surface can beused as a food tray.
 12. The coffee table according to claim 1, furthercomprising a detectable, or manual, stop to ensure the hard surface isnot removed completely inadvertently.
 13. The coffee table according toclaim 1, wherein the hard surface and the soft surface are configured oneither side of a surface, and the surface can be rotated about any axisthereby configuring either the hard or the soft surface pointingupwards.
 14. The coffee table according to claim 2, wherein the hard andsoft surfaces conform two sides of the same table top, and the table topis manipulated to change it from hard to soft.
 15. The coffee tableaccording to claim 14, wherein the table top can be flipped, orotherwise manipulated, to reveal the hard or the soft surface.
 16. Thecoffee table according to claim 2, wherein the hard and soft surfacesconform two states of the same table top, and the table top ismanipulated to change it from the hard to soft state, or from the softto hard state.
 17. The coffee table according to claim 1 where the hardand/or soft surfaces are divided into two or more separate parts. 18.The coffee table according to claim 1, further comprising motorizedmeans for moving the hard surface, or soft surface, or both surfaces.19. The coffee table according to claim 1 where, once the first toplayer has been removed completely, the coffee table can be placed nextto the sofa to act as a whole, or part, of a sofa widening means tocreate wider surface that can be used to sleep on.